Former Illinois coach John Groce was named the head coach at Akron on Wednesday.

Groce was fired at Illinois on March 11 after missing the NCAA tournament in four straight seasons of his five-year tenure. He posted a 95-75 overall record and 39-53 Big Ten mark.

The move would be a return to the Mid-American Conference for Groce, who previously coached at Ohio University from 2008-12. He led the Bobcats to a Sweet Sixteen run in 2012 that prompted Illinois to hire him.

Groce will replace Keith Dambrot, who left his alma mater for Duquesne last week.

The Zips made the NCAA field three times under Dambrot, but lost in this year's MAC championship to Kent State and played in the NIT.

Shannon Ryan ranks the Top 10 in college basketball — for the 2017-18 season.